Workforce Planning Manager
Workforce Planning Manager

Workforce Planning Manager

Preston Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead workforce planning to ensure the right people are in place for projects.
  • Company: Join a major UK Civil Engineering and Construction business shaping the future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility with office visits twice a month.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in strategic initiatives and workforce optimisation.
  • Qualifications: Experience in workforce planning within complex, project-based environments is essential.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; all backgrounds encouraged to apply.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

This is an exciting opportunity with a major UK Civil Engineering and Construction business. Together, we’re currently looking for a Workforce Planning Manager to help shape the future of one of their leading business units. You will be the driving force behind ensuring this business has the right people, in the right place, at the right time — now and for the future.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Partnering with Directors, SLT, project teams, and the wider People function to align workforce capability with project demand and optimise staffing levels.
  • Leading workforce planning across the full lifecycle: capability reviews, demand forecasting, mobility planning and gap analysis.
  • Influencing and guiding on workforce planning strategy, helping embed best practices across business units.
  • Developing and managing workforce planning tools and systems that inform key business decisions.
  • Collaborating with the wider People Team on mobility and redeployment strategies.
  • Delivering insightful reports and analysis that help shape business unit planning and resource allocation.
  • Supporting strategic initiatives, including recruitment and organisational change, to keep us ahead of the curve.
  • Support and deliver on contingency plans for workforce disruptions.

About You:

  • You’re experienced, pragmatic, and have led workforce planning in a complex, project-based environment, bringing stakeholders along for the journey.
  • You understand both operational and strategic workforce planning, and can confidently work at all levels — from the granular to the visionary.
  • You’re comfortable managing planning via spreadsheets (no fancy tools here — yet) and know how to use them to drive clear, actionable decisions.
  • You’ve built planning processes before, brought stakeholders together, and created usable insights from fragmented data.
  • You naturally work across boundaries, challenging siloed approaches and embedding sustainable workforce practices.
  • You bring strong stakeholder management skills — from partnering with peers to influencing SLT — and know how to articulate workforce data in a way that drives action.
  • You’re a senior operator looking for a role with space to shape and evolve.
  • You see what good looks like and can lead others towards it.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you! Don’t meet every single requirement? At Realise, we are dedicated to helping our clients build diverse, inclusive and authentic workplaces, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we would encourage you to apply anyway! You might be just the candidate we’re looking for!

Workforce Planning Manager employer: Realise HR

Join a leading UK Civil Engineering and Construction business that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise as a Workforce Planning Manager will directly influence the future of the organisation. With flexible remote working options and a commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to shape strategic workforce initiatives while enjoying a supportive environment that encourages growth and diversity. Located in the picturesque Cumbria, this role not only provides meaningful work but also allows you to thrive in a region known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant community.
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Contact Detail:

Realise HR Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Workforce Planning Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific workforce planning tools and systems commonly used in the civil engineering and construction sector. Understanding these tools will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your proactive approach to the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the civil engineering and construction industry, especially those who have experience in workforce planning. Engaging in conversations can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss real-life examples of how you've successfully managed workforce planning in complex environments. Highlighting your past experiences will showcase your ability to influence stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on current trends and challenges in workforce planning within the construction industry. Being knowledgeable about these topics will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews and show that you're committed to staying ahead of the curve.

We think you need these skills to ace Workforce Planning Manager

Workforce Planning
Demand Forecasting
Stakeholder Management
Data Analysis
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Operational Planning
Mobility Planning
Gap Analysis
Report Writing
Excel Proficiency
Collaboration Skills
Change Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in workforce planning, especially in complex, project-based environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to align workforce capability with project demand.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your skills in stakeholder management and data analysis can contribute to shaping the future of the business unit.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Provide examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Mention any experience you have with workforce planning tools or systems, even if they are basic spreadsheets.

Highlight Your Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading workforce planning initiatives and collaborating with various teams. Share instances where you've influenced strategy or improved processes, showcasing your ability to work across boundaries.

How to prepare for a job interview at Realise HR

✨Understand the Role Thoroughly

Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Workforce Planning Manager does. Familiarise yourself with key responsibilities like demand forecasting and stakeholder management, as well as the specific challenges faced in a project-based environment.

✨Prepare Examples of Past Experience

Be ready to discuss your previous experience in workforce planning. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead planning processes, manage stakeholders, and create actionable insights from data.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Since the role involves delivering insightful reports and analysis, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in the past. Highlight your proficiency with spreadsheets and any relevant tools you've used.

✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking

The company is looking for someone who can influence workforce planning strategy. Be ready to share your thoughts on best practices and how you would approach aligning workforce capability with project demand.

Workforce Planning Manager
Realise HR
R
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